RFID Printer / Encoder Review NDIA RFID 2005 McLean. November, 2005

Transcription

1 RFID Printer / Encoder Review NDIA RFID 2005 McLean November, 2005

2 Discussion Points Functional RFID System Marketplace Landscape Marketplace Leaders Key Buying Criteria for RFID Printers / Encoders Success Factors Q & A

3 A Functional RFID System Includes RFID Media For Labels RFID Readers RF Programmers/Printers (To Program Chip And/Or Print Onto The Label Face) Warehouse Management System And Middleware Interface To ERP System

4 Printer/Encoder Functions 3 Fundamental Functions of a RFID Printer Encoder: 1. Determination Of The Viability (Health) Of The RFID Inlay 2. Encoding (Writing/ Burning ) Of The Communicated Numbering Sequence (EPC/Cage Code) To The RFID Inlay/Chip 3. Printing Of The Human Readable Content, Also Communicated By The Printer s Host, To The Pressure Sensitive Thermal Label

5 Marketplace Landscape Sato CL408e RFID / CL412e RFID Class 1 Focused Rugged/Premium Price Promised Upgrade to Gen 2 Solid Market Reputation Monarch 9855 Intermec PM4i Class 1 Focused Promised Upgrade to Gen 2 Solid Market Reputation Historically Retail Focused ISO Focused (HF + UHF) Promised Upgrade to Gen 2 Solid Market Reputation Industrial Focus No Current Play in C1/G1 I-Class RFID ISO Focused (HF + UHF) Promised Upgrade to Gen 2 Solid Market Reputation Industrial Focus + Govt. + Airlines No Known Current Play in C1/G1

6 Marketplace Leading Solutions Industry Powerhouse in Thermal Desktop Printing 4M+ Installed Broad Line of Compatible and Rugged Printing Solutions Strong and Established Distribution Network Established 30 Year Old Printing Solutions Company Aggressive and Seemingly Successful Entrance into RFID Compliance Labeling Established Family of Distributors, VAR s and Integrators

7 Company Reputation General Specifications Encode Capabilities Bad Tag Management Upgradeability / Flexibility Software Development Connectivity/Host Integration OEM Professional Services Warranty & Support Price

8 Company Strengths + Commitment to RFID 30 Years. 4 Million Printers Sold. 90% F500 $663 Million Full Year 2004 up 23.6% $120 Million Full Year Outlook up 31.6% Zebra Delivers Innovative And Reliable Bar Code/ Specialty Label Printing Solutions To Businesses And Governments In 90 Countries 2 nd Generation Focus On RFID Mhz Solutions Currently In Line $99 Million Revenue FY2005/9 Mo. (ended 12/30/04) $1.3 Million Net Income FY2005/9 Mo. (ended 12/30/04) Worldwide Distribution 1 st Generation Focus on RFID Doing Well in RFID Space Based on Pilot Placements

9 Printer / Encoder Features General Specifications Based On Proven Xiplus Platform All Metal Construction For 24/7 Operation Available In 4-inch And 6-inch Print Width Integrated ThingMagic RFID Reader/Encoder Multi-protocol Firmware Upgradeable To Gen2 Antenna Approximately 1 Inch From Print Line Maximum Flexibility For Smart Labels Write/Read/Verify Ensures 100% Good Smart Labels Adjustable Power Settings For Read And Write Programmable Tag Position Allows Transponder Placement Virtually Anywhere On The Label Auto-calibrate Function Based On SL5000 Thermal Line All Metal Construction For 24/7 Operation Available In 4-inch Print Width Integrated AWID RFID UHF Multi-Protocol 915mhz Encoder Smart Label Encoding Validation And Overstrike Capability PGL And ZPL Programming Languages With RFID Command Sets Unique Dual-Motor Driven Ribbon System Greatly Reduces The Risk Of Ribbon Wrinkle For Superior Print Quality Exclusive Snap-in Print Head To Easily Change Print Heads And Change From 203DPI To 300DPI Printing Without Firmware Or Software Changes Maintains Record Of Bad Tags

10 Printer / Encoder Features Encode Capabilities Smart Labels Can Encode Virtually Any Transponder Design Using: EPC Class 1 EPC Class 0 Matrics 0+ ISO b SL5000e MP Provides Multi-Protocol Capabilities To Address Applications That Require Class 0, 0+, 1 Standard SL5000e C1 Provides Capabilities To Address Applications That Require An Optimized Class 1 Standard Solution The SL5000e MP And SL5000e C1 Support The Following Label Sizes With Various Antenna Designs. Alien Squiggle Class 1, 96-bit 4 X 2, 4 X 4,4 X 6, 4 X 8 Rafsec #432 Class 1, 96-bit 3 X 3 Matrics Dual Dipole Class 0, 0+ * 4 X 6, 4 X 8 * SL5000e MP Only

11 Printer / Encoder Features Bad Tag Management Optimized For Fastest Throughput Voided Labels Printed At Maximum Speed RFID Mode Eliminates Unnecessary Back-feed Good And Void Label Tracking Expanded Error Reporting Helps Determine Cause Of Voided Labels Tag Data Can Be Continuously Displayed Overstrike Bad Tags Maintains Log Electronically

12 Printer / Encoder Features Upgradeability/Flexibility The reader s unique software architecture also allows remote software upgrades for new protocols, including the forthcoming EPC Generation 2. Moving forward, Zebra s goal is to ensure that every RFID investment made by our customers delivers long-term benefits and effortless accommodation to the ever-changing standards and technology shifts. Zebra has indicated that these upgrades are provided at no charge to the integrator and to the end user. Printronix recognizes that RFID standards will continue to evolve over the next few years, and protecting your investment in RFID technology today is a key design goal for it s products and services. Printronix helps protect your technology investment by including a flexible upgrade path that includes software-upgradeable reader technology. Printronix has also introduced field upgradeable thermal transfer printers with RFID upgrade path. Printronix has not revealed costs (if any) or procedures on Gen 2 upgrades

13 Printer / Encoder Features Software Development Enhanced Commands for RFID to ZPL Programming Language PGL and ZPL Interpreter Development Kit Has Sample Applications

14 Printer / Encoder Features Connectivity & Host Integration XML Communication For Easy Integration To Enterprise Systems. Variety Of Connectivity Options Standard Interface Wireless Internal Ethernet Wireless/Ethernet Option Provides Real-time Data Access And Local Printing Flexibility Printronix Printnet Enterprise, A Webenabled Remote Network Print Management System That Provides Instantaneous Visibility To Every Network Printer And Allows Users To Simultaneously Configure And Efficiently Manage An Unlimited Number Of Printronix Printers Supports Management Of The Additional Rfid Encoder Capabilities

15 Printer / Encoder Features Warranty Support 1 Year Warranty Covers Parts & Labor Warranty Service Performed at Zebra Site 90 Days Warranty Covers Parts and On-Site Labor

16 Printer / Encoder Features OEM Professional Services Generally Defined, Customized and Provided by Zebra Authorized RFID Providers Auto ID Consulting Label Compliance/Certification SAP/ERP Bar Code Integration Legacy Application Migration PLC + Automation Interfaces Other Services

17 Printer / Encoder Features - Price R110Xi R dpi $4,495 R dpi $4,695 = $4,995 = $4, /300 DPI (operator interchangeable) R170Xi R dpi $6,795 R dpi $6,995

18 Tips from the Pros RFID Implementations are a Progressive Project Iterative Approach Incremental Approach Not Overnight Plan Plan Plan! Deliveries Have Long Lead Times If You Have RFID Unfriendly Products? Test Multiple Tags Test Multiple Sources Experiment With Multiple Tag Placement Options Don t Load Up Standards Mean Change Insist on Upgradeable Solutions at Minimum Cost to You! Look for Help Lot s of Affordable Help and Solutions Available for Compliance to Mandates

19 Lowry Advantage Trust Our Experience When It Counts! Professional Services Printing/Media Solutions Application-Specific Mobile Computers - Bar Code & RFID Data Capture Collaborative Solutions Platform Integration Network Integration Automatic Labeling Systems Integration Wireless Networks RFID Implementations

20 Questions / Comments